Thermal gasifying manifold construction



Oct. 5 1926. 1,602,098

- G. J. BURNS THERMAL GASIFYING MANIFOLD CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 1 7 g I7 gwwuloz George JBur-ns, @511 M I fll fonuq Oct.5,1926. 1,602,098

G. J. BURNS THERMAL GASIFYING MANIFOLD CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan 30, 1922 2Shets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 5, 1926.

GEORGE J'. BURNS, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

THERMAL GASIFYING MANIFOLD CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed January 30, 1922.

This invention relates to a new manifold construction for internal.combustion engines embodying means for obtaining a more adequate coolingof the motor and increasing the efficiency of the fuel charge, while atthe same time preserving the lubricating qualities of the oil in thecrank case.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a manifoldconstruction which effectually cools the engine, reduces the temperaturein the crank case, and at the same time supplies heat and moisture forthe purpose of obtaining the increased efficiency of the fuel charge. Tothat end the invention is based on certain fundamental factors thatenter into the successful operation of the device. In explanation ofthose fundamentals the following observations are to be noted, to wit:The action of heat alone on fuel to be used for combustion purposes isnot adequate in the process of breaking up the molecular construction ofthe fuel. Therefore, the present invention involves the incorporation ofmoisture with the fuel charge whereby the skin of the molecules will becaused to swell rendering the same susceptible to air friction and tobreaking up, making a true gas for the combustion. In that connection itis well known that the ordinary mixing devices and carburetors ingeneral use supply the fuel in atomized particles, as a mist, asdistinguished from a liquid completely broken up into a true gas as isprovided for by the present invention. In its application to air cooledmotors the invention possesses special utility inasmuch as it presents aconstruction which permits the use of the fuel as a cooling medium forthe motor and at the same time operates to heat the fuel for use in theprocess of generating the gas for explosion, thus obviating the seriousdefects incident to the operation of the ordinary air cooled 1110- tors.Thus it will be seen that it is the intent and object of the presentinvention to provide an improved manifold construction involving thecarrying out of a process of making a true gas and lowering the heat inthe motor cylinder where the friction heat is usually excessivelydeveloped, thus preventing the oil in the crank case from becomingunduly thinned from unexploded gas and by the excessive frictional heat.Carbon deposits will therefore be eliminated and the so-calledpro-ignition will be prevented.

Serial No. 532,924.

In carrying forward the foregoing general objects, the present inventioncontemplates embodying the invention in a new manifold constructionwhich can be used as an attachment for motors in use, as well as to newmotors, said manifold construction including a gasifying chamber forreceiving the fuel from the carburetor as well as atmospheric airemployed for developing the moisture, and also the gases from the crankcase of the motor.

In carrying out the invention the same is necessarily susceptible ofembodiment in various forms of construction without departing from thespirit or principle thereof, but in order to illustrate the particularfeatures claimed, a practical embodiment is shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which Figure 1 is a sideelevation. of a motor showing theimproved gasifying manifold attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the manifold, partly in section.

Figure a is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through theexhaust passage.

Fi 'ure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through thegasifying chamber.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the application of the invention to an aircooled motor. I

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

In carrying the present invention into ef fect it is proposed to providea manifold construction combining means for handling both the intake andexhaust gases of the motor, and having as its distinctive characteristica gasifying chamber for receiving the atomized fuel from the carburetor,the crank case gases and atmospheric air. The atmospheric air entersinto the gasifying chamber together the fresh fuel vapor and the crankcase gases, and the heat developed in the gasifying chamber serves tothoroughly gasify the charge before it passes to the intake ports of themotor. The complete gasification of the hydro-carbon liquid isfacilitated by the moisture swelling the, molecular particles, therebyrendering them more susceptible to breaking down under impact againstsuitable baffles provided within the gasifying chamber and under theinfluence of the heat and air friction.

While the invention may take various structural embodiments a simple andpractical form thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings fromwhich it will be observed that the device is primarily intended to beused as an attachment or accessory for an internal combustion engine E,in place of the usual separate intake and exhaust manifolds.

In consolidating the intake and exhaust manifolds into a single unit,considerable advantage is gained in having only one member to handle,while at the same time the gasifying chamber G of the device may havethe benefit of the heat of the liquid circulating in the jacket of themotor, and yet at the same time the liquid may also be cooled by thecooler atmospheric air and fuel vapor which enters the gasifyingchamber.

As will be observed from Figure 1 of the drawings, the present devicepreferably consists of a body '1, which may be a casting, provided atone side thereof with suitable openings or ports 2 for registering withthe exhaust ports of the motor bloc and also with the inlets 3 forreceiving the pipe connections 4 that may be tapped into the liquidcirculating jacket of the motor at any suit able and convenient point.As will be observed from Figure 2 the interior of the body 1 is providedwith the exhaust passages 5 which communicate with the exhaust intakeports 2 and receive the usual exhaust pipe at the end 6. The greaterportion of the remaining interior area of the body constitutes a liquidcirculating chamber 7 in communication with the circulating pipes 4t andhaving the lower portion 8 lying at one side of the gasifying chamber Gformed adjacent the outer face of the body 1 and adapted to communicatewith the intake ports 10 of the motor bloc bv the feed pas sages 11extending through the chamber 7.

The said gasifying chamber G is in direct communication with the intakepassage 9 of the neck 12 that connects directly with the carbureter C;and, for the purpose of providing a maximum surface area over which thefuel gases must pass on their way to the cylinders, and at the same timeinsure their thorough breaking up and gasilication, the interior of thegasifying chamber is provided with a plurality of baflie webs 1-3preferably so arranged that direct communication between the inletpassage 9 and feed passages 11 is obstructed thereby compel ling thevapors to impinge against the walls of the baffles to thus assist incomplete gasification.

For the purpose of conveying outside air as well as the gases collectedwithin the crank case of the motor into the gasifying neeaeee chamber,the outside wall 1a of the gasiiying chamber may be tapped by a suitablepipe connection 15 having an air intake valve 16 at any suitable andconvenient point, while the pipe 17 leads to the crank case. Throughthis pipe 17 the gases collecting in the crank case are drawn into thegasifying chamber G and reconstructed by the outside air admittedthrough the valve 16 and the fresh fuel vapor from the .carbureter.

V v hen the present attachment is applied to a motor and connected withthe liquid circulating system thereof, the gasifying chamber receivesthe vaporized liquid fuel from the carbureter as well as gases from thecrank case, and by reason of the relatively cool condition of theoutside air the moisture thereinis condensed and when encountered by thefuel molecules causes the latter to expand or swell so that the heat andair friction readily cause them to break into a true gaseous statebefore reaching the cylinders. When the device is in operation, fuelfrom the carburcter C will pass through the passave 9 of the neck 12into the 'asifvin cham-' her where it will be compelled to follow a moreor less circuitous path on account of the webs 13 before it makes itsway. to the feed passages 11. thoroughly intermingle with the gasesextracted from the cranlr case and the atmo pheric air drawn through thevalve 16.,

Thus, the vapors from the three sources are mixed or intermingled in thegasifying chamber to form a truly gaseous combustion charge prior tobeing conducted to their point of use.

By reason of the extraction of the gases from the crank case through thepipe 17 circulation of cooling air is maintained in the crank case whichkeeps the lubricating oil in a maximum state of eiiiciency since it isprevented from thinning out and breaking down under the frictional andexplosive heat of the motor, as well as from dilution by the gases whichpass the piston rings on the compression stroke of the pistons. I

When the device is used in connection with a motor for burning keroseneor other heavy hydro-carbon as indicated by the diagram in Figure 6, theliquid circulating chamber of the manifold is connected directly withthe source of fuel supply and also with the carbureter. As will be seenfrom the diagram the kerosene or other fuel may be fed from the vacuumsupply tank V through the pipe line 20 tothe liquid receiving chamber ofthe manifold where it will be pre-heated by the exhaust gases from themotor and also at the same time prevent the gasification chamber frombecoming excessively hot. From the liquid chamber of the manifold thepre heated fuel passes through the pipe 21 to the carburetiug device 22where it is vaporized In the meantime it willand released into the neck23 of the manifold which communicates with the gasifying chamber leadingto the intake valves of the motor. Thus, the novel manifold device, inthis adaptation of the invention, constitutes a means for preliminarilyheating the hydrocarbon fuel, and subsequently after the fuel has beencarbureted, the vapor released by the carbureter is further treated inthe ga ifying chamber of the device. In this em bodiment, as in theother form of the invention, outside air as well as gases from the crankcase of the motor may be admitted to the gasification chamber for thepurpose of supplying the necessary moisture to expand the molecules offuel in the carbureted vapor and also removing the gases from the crankcase to keep the lubricating oil in condition to pack the rings.

Without further description it is thought that the features andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art and it will of course be understood that changes in the form,proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A combined fuel gasifyinpmanifold and engine cooling construction forinternal combustion engines including a body formed with passagesconstituting a water jacket and having an internal conduit for exhaustgases surrounded by said water jacket, the side of said body beingprovided with a wall spaced from said exhaust passage and exposed to thewater in said jacket, and an outer Wall cooperating with said firstmentioned wall to provide a gasifying chamber,

vided at one side with suitable ports to register with the exhaust portsof the motor bloc and also with inlets for receiving pipe connectionsfor supplying liquid to said body, the interior of the body beingprovided with exhaust passages communicating with the exhaust intakeports, a liquid circulating chamber in said body communicating with theopening for the circulating pipe, a gasifying chamber formed adjacentthe outer face of the body and adapted to communicate with the intakeports of the motor bloc, said chamber having feed passages to effectsaid conn'nunication, a conduit for supplying vaporized fuel to thegasifying chamber, a three way fitting carried by the outer wall of themanifold and communicating with The gasifying chamber and meansconnected with said three way fitting for respectively establishingcommunication between the crank case of the engine, the atmospheric airand the source of water supply.

In testimony whereof I hereunto a'lfix my signature.

GEORGE J. BURNS.

